The Cherished Wife

Mateo gripped Clarisse's wrist tightly. The more he saw her in this state, the angrier and more disgusted he was. "You went to look for Noelle? On what grounds? With what right?"

His gaze, once filled with affection, was now cold and scornful. Any love he might have once held for her had long since dissolved into contempt.

"I told you before that you were never to return after leaving. So, why are you back now? What more do you want from the Hoffmans?"

"Mateo, I don't understand what you're saying. All I know is that you owe me. If not for you back then-"

"Even if it hadn't been me, Hen would never have married you either," Mateo cut her off sharply, his voice like ice. He dragged her toward the car, shoved her inside, and slammed the door with force. The driver, startled by Mateo's fury, stammered, "Sir, where are we going?"

"The hospital," Mateo snapped, casting a hard glance at Clarisse. "Clarisse, you know exactly what happened back then. No matter how despicable I may be, I never forced myself on anyone.

"When you say I owe you, wasn't it all a plan devised by you and your brother? Milo drugged me because he knew the Hoffmans' inheritance would fall into my hands. You think I don't know about that?" "N-No... that's not true," Clarisse stammered. She felt as though her darkest secrets had been laid bare. She tried to deny it in a panic, "Hen and I truly loved each other. Besides-"

in the end? Do you really believe Hen

you mean by that?"

with Hen. He would manage the Hoffmans while acting as the family head. But since Hen has no

never saw

did he? And

my father er would hand over the family headship to Hen. Even

and have a

make me divorce you so that you could marry Hen, right? Clarisse, did you really think you were so captivating that you could marry

at least had the sense to know Hen@ould never marry you, which was why he stopped you

was so blind that